Rain will mean difficult driving over holiday

Rain is expected in Mendocino County and beyond through Thanksgiving, spurring authorities to urge safe driving on and around the holiday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of rain tonight, with lows in the upper 40s. Rain is likely into Wednesday night, with patchy fog in the valleys moving in Wednesday night through Thanksgiving day, according to the NWS.

Low temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s Wednesday and Thursday night. Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain are expected Friday, and the NWS predicts a chance of rain through Monday.

"Slow down," cautioned California Highway Patrol Officer Patty Benedetti. "By driving even 10 miles an hour over the speed limit, you're only getting there a few minutes earlier, and you're increasing your chance of being involved in an accident substantially. Adjust your speed for weather conditions and be there for your family."

The CHP also urges drivers to avoid driving distracted, to adjust speed for road conditions, and to designate a sober driver.

The CHP will be out on the roads for the long Thanksgiving weekend, which is considered a maximum enforcement period because it draws motorists to the road for family get-togethers.

The enforcement period starts Wednesday at 6 p.m. and runs through Sunday.

"Motorists are less likely to encounter one of our officers by simply wearing their seat belt," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Not only does the law require everyone inside the vehicle to be properly secured, seat belts are your best line of defense in a collision."

If gas consumption increases earlier this year, when the average price per gallon spiked to $4.26, are any indicator, motorists may be about as likely as not to hit the road for holiday gatherings.

Gas consumption rose 0.8 percent in April, May and June this year, as compared to the same three months last year, according to Betty T. Yee, 1st District member of the state Board of Equalization. The spike was a 3.1-perent increase over the 2011 average per-gallon price of $4.13.

The average price for a gallon of gas in Northern California is down to $3.82, an 81-cent drop from October's average, according to AAA. The statewide average is $3.85, still 41 cents more than the national average price for unleaded, regular gasoline.

But the price dip may be attributable in part to reduced demand and global economic weakness, according to AAA.

"Lower crude oil prices, the seasonal switch from summer to winter blend and reduced demand have added to the recent downward pressure on retail gasoline prices," according to AAA Northern spokeswoman Cynthia Harris. "With continued signs of global economic weakness and a somewhat stronger U.S. dollar, crude oil prices have continued to move lower."

Tiffany Revelle can be reached at udjtr@pacific.net, on Twitter @TiffanyRevelle or at 468-3523.